Prince and Assassin: Perilous Courts, Book 1

4.5 | 1,795 ratings

Price: 29.66

Last update: 10-22-2024

About this item

He’s supposed to kill Prince Julien...not fall for him.

Whisper doesn’t remember his real name. All he knows is the elite assassin guild that raised him—and controls him with the threat of blood magic. Plagued by nightmares, he doesn’t get to refuse assignments, even when his new job doesn’t make sense:

infiltrate Prince Julien’s court, protect him until the signal arrives, then kill him.

Julien hides his own schemes behind a sordid reputation. He trusts nobody besides his brothers, and he certainly doesn’t trust the aloof, beautiful new stranger at court. But he doesn’t have to trust the stranger to be drawn to him, especially when he saves Julien’s life.

Then Julien saves Whisper too, and Whisper’s reserve shatters.

Beneath Julien’s playboy facade is a warmth Whisper can’t resist. Whisper’s never been comforted before. He’s never been cared for like this. As his nightmares darken, Julien’s touch is his only solace—but falling in love could ruin them both.

Because Whisper’s mission hasn’t changed, and the price for failure is worse than death.

Prince and Assassin is a high fantasy gay romance with secret identities, hurt/comfort, and magic tigers with attitude. The Perilous Courts series is best listened to in order, but each book follows a different prince and his Happily Ever After.

Maijie G

A prince, an assassin and a romance for the ages

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2022

Prince and Assassin is the first book in the Perilous Courts series by Tavia Lark. This book is a great start to the series and it utterly charmed me.

The author's writing is beautiful and has improved greatly since the Radiance series. The story flowed smoothly here and there is barely any moment which I would call dull or uninteresting. The world-building is top-notch and it greatly showcases the writer's ability to create a fantastic setting with it's own rules for magic, some really interesting creatures (this book has magical cats, magical cats!) and a fairly intricate political system with its factions and alliances.

Both characters fulfill certain character tropes but that didn't hinder them in anyway from being compelling and adorable. Julien is the typical care-free, playboy prince who never wanted anything to do with ruling, but despite that he is quite political savvy, observant and contrary to what most rumors paint him out to be, maintains a level-head when needed. His devotion to Whisper is nearly unwavering (except that one time but attempted murder can shake one really bad). Whisper is an assassin who had grown conflicted over the years as being one had taken its toll on him. He is fair, compassionate, has a caring heart and feels too deeply. He went in expecting a terrible prince to deal but instead found someone who sees the real him and is overall a good person. He never let his emotions hinder him from completing his job, but this recent one might just be his undoing.

I love the balance between the overall plot and the romance in that equal importance was given to both aspects of the story. The development of the relationship between Julien and Whisper was deftly handled. I loved seeing how well they worked together and how they both bring out the best in each other. One can feel the varying emotions that resonate between them - the love, the pain, protectiveness, softness and gentleness and the eventual feeling of pain and betrayal due to the circumstance they were thrown in.

The book ends in a very satisfying way, wrapping up the plot nicely while wonderfully providing an opening for the next part of the series. I am looking forward to the family dynamics that might be provided in the next book.

I highly recommend giving this book a try especially those who loved the Radiance series and who likes fantasy romance in general.

This book is book is 4.5 stars out of 5 stars for me.

Katherine Blackmare

One of the Most Romantic Couples I've EVER Read

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2023

4.5 stars.

This book was going to be 3 or 3.5 stars at the most... and then those last 11 chapters happened. Not to say that the writing wasn't great and Julien's obsession with Whisper wasn't *chef's kiss* fantastic, but it's more a personal preference. I have issues with books in which characters are hiding this terrible secret from the love interest because it means I'm sitting on tenterhooks for the entire thing, unable to enjoy the sweet moments because of what I know is to come...

And my gods, the reveal had me SHAKING, it was SO GOOD, SO ROMANTIC, SO REFRESHING, SO SWEET. You know what it made me realize? It made me realize how much more INFURIATING and STUPID other books are for dragging on the drama for no reason. Julien is rightfully angry at first, but he's also confused and still has faith in Whisper and his feelings for him. When he knows who Whisper is and who sent him, he understands everything right away, and it was SUCH a breath of fresh air. He's kind and understanding, but he's also competent and reasonable. He understands the situation Whisper was in and doesn't hold it against him.

The book is very mature and clever about it, it doesn't keep the anger and betrayal going for several chapters like so many other books where Julien can see what pushed Whisper to do what he had to, and understands right away. Julien legitimately cares about and loves Whisper, and we get to see that, not just be told and then have them find any excuse to stay apart. It flows so beautifully, it's so intense, those last 11 chapters put the entire first part of the book into perspective, and I'm really glad about the twist, too.

I understand now why we never got to connect or sympathize with Hemlock, because we weren't supposed to, but I will say that I still felt that Whisper giving up his own freedom for her in the beginning was a really snap decision that didn't make much sense. Then again, you get the feeling later on, when you find out how young he'd been when he was taken, and how troubled his life had been since, that he never would've been able to kill anyone else and just move on with his life. He was looking for excuses to stay in the Kennel. Still, it felt rushed, and I feel like, excluding the last scene, the smut could've been written better. I felt the intimacy and adoration, but those scenes felt a bit rushed, too.

Outside of that, this book was SO cute, so much fun, such a pleasure. I'm so glad I picked it up, it was exactly what I needed, and I can't wait to own a physical copy.

KarenHe

Beautiful Hurt/Comfort Story. Absolutely good !

Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2023

Rating: ★★★★★

You may guess the story by reading the title and synopsis of the book, however, it doesn't mean you cannot enjoy it. Most romance books have an expected HEA ending, but we are still addicted to them. Why? Because what we are looking for is the building of characters, the development of relationships, the way of telling the story, and most importantly, the heart-touching love feelings. And those are the reasons I love this book so much!

Prince Julien is too far charming. He is wise, playful, and powerful, and he is so genuine as a person. But my favorite character is Whisper, the assassin. He's reserved, beautiful, and kind-hearted, but he's always self-dispraised because of his identity and past. His struggle and pain in the conflict between love and responsibility made him a complicated character that really touched my heart. The two fellcats, Rumi and Fisk, are so adorable that I wish they are real.

The romantic relationship between Julien and Whisper is another factor that touches my heart. Though the development at the beginning is a bit too slow due to the huge background, it is getting much better after the trip to Greenhaven. There are some cute and sweet details if you pay enough attention. For example, when Julien just met Whisper, Julien said so many times that he wasn't having sex with Whisper even though nobody was asking, it looked like that he was saying a mantra for himself rather than telling the truth, how much he was attracted to Whisper!

The ending is very satisfactory too! There's not only an answer to the conspiracy mystery, but a very sweet and emotional confession of love. Have to say that the sex scenes are really sexy and beautiful.

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